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Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoEric Albrecht | DispatchFriends Averi Smith and Riley Hicks of Hilliard dance to a tune provided by the Short Stop Band at Veterans Memorial. The two were having fun at last year’s First Night Columbus.

It takes a village of entertainers to put on First Night Columbus, the local New Year’s Eve
family-friendly celebration.

“A vast majority of them have performed with us before, but we do have two new bands,” Amanda
Leeman, communications manager for Promotions One Inc., said of this year’s gathering.

Both New Hollow and Liberty Deep Down — central Ohio bands that are making their First Night
debuts — have gained a following beyond this area.

New Hollow was called “one of the bands to watch” by
Billboard magazine, and Liberty Deep Down has a single selling on iTunes.

“They’re thrilled to be a part of it,” said Coy White, the manager of both bands. “They’re
excited to play local; they have a good local following.”

Thousands of people are expected to fill COSI and Veterans Memorial — across from each other on
W. Broad Street — on Tuesday evening to welcome the new year during First Night Columbus.

It’s the 19th year for the annual substance-free, family-friendly event, which will begin at 5
p.m. and cap off with fireworks at midnight.

More than 100 performers will take part in the evening, said Mike Collins, executive director of
Promotions One.

New Hollow, whose singles have collectively sold more than 420,000 copies, is made up of three
teen guys who met a few years ago when they were classmates at a New Albany middle school.

The members of Liberty Deep Down — four young men who include identical twin brothers — are from
Powell. The twins met one of their bandmates while standing in line at a White Castle
restaurant.

Also during the night, 22 singers will compete in First Night’s Got Talent. They will vie for a
$500 prize and a guaranteed top-50 spot in Ohio Idol.

In addition to watching Tuesday night’s entertainment, the First Night crowd Downtown can check
out a Fitness Fun Zone, a Curious George exhibit, a mobile petting zoo, and ice-sculpting and
martial-arts demonstrations. Also available will be old favorites such as the Creation Station,
where kids can create art, and face-painting.

Buttons for First Night Columbus are $9 each and available at Giant Eagle and COSI and on the
First Night Columbus website,
www.firstnightcolumbus.com.
Children 3 or younger get in free.